As long as the rookie from Ohio State keeps making plays comparable to his 47-yard touchdown catch Friday night, Jenkins will earn plenty of snaps with the first-team offense when the regular season begins Sept. 12 at San Francisco.

What impressed offensive coordinator Greg Knapp was Jenkins' ability to trick a Minnesota cornerback into thinking he would run a slant pattern before turning instead to the left side of the field. With the Falcons down 14 points, Jenkins reached over his left shoulder to catch a fade pass from rookie quarterback Matt Schaub.

"Mike was very patient in selling the slant, and he got the corner to bite to create all that separation," Knapp said.

Atlanta drafted Jenkins with the No. 29 overall pick after general manager Rich McKay orchestrated a trade that sent a second-round and other options to the Indianapolis Colts. Jenkins was a big-time playmaker at Ohio State as his 165 receptions rank third on the Buckeyes' career list behind David Boston and Cris Carter.

"The corner was already sitting hard inside," Jenkins said. "All I had to do was look back, and Matt did a good job of pump-faking and putting the ball up down the field. I just went up, made the catch and stayed in bounds after contact and put six up."

Schaub earning teammates' respect

Knapp thinks Schaub, who rallied the Falcons to a 27-24 victory, assuaged his teammates with a 16-of-19 effort for 205 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.

Last year's backup quarterbacks, Doug Johnson and Kurt Kittner, demoralized the locker room with poor play. If starter Michael Vick misses extended time again this season, Knapp believes Schaub will keep his composure.

"That's what he's doing right now," said Knapp. "He's establishing confidence, not only with us as coaches, but with the rest of the team."

Knapp loved how Schaub let his receivers run their routes before pulling the trigger and hitting Jimmy Farris with the 1-yard touchdown that ended the scoring in the fourth quarter.

"It was a long developing play, so our line did a heck of a job in protection, but he did a good job of going through his reads," Knapp said.

Riley, Smith among those hurting

Head coach Jim Mora said Saturday that reserve defensive end Karon Riley probably won't practice when the players return to team headquarters for their next workout Monday afternoon.

Mora hopes starting right end Brady Smith can return this week from a bruised knee after missing all but one practice over the last 20 days.